Pneumoretroperitoneum, bilateral pneumothorax and emphysema following endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy

Abstract

We report a case of pneumothorax, subcutaneous emphysema and pneumoretroperitoneum after an endoscopic sphincterotomy. A 40-yr-old woman presented with dyspnea immediately after she had undergone an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram for a residual stone in common bile duct. On arrival to our hospital, she complained about severe dyspnea and on examination subcutaneous emphysema was discovered. A CT scan was conducted and showed a right-sided pneumothorax, a pneumoretroperitoneum in the peritoneal cavity. We recommended to the patient an immediate laparotomic exploration. We discovered a duodenal perforation in which we sutured it with accompanying pyloric exclusion, double truncular vagotomy and gastroenteroanastomosis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP) is a popular procedure for biliary and pancreatic diseases, but it can cause severe complications such as intestinal perforation. Besides perforations, air can spread through the abdominal cavity, retroperitoneum, mediastinum, and the soft tissues of the neck, eventually causing pneumothorax. Early recognition and appropriate management is crucial for optimal results.